Therapeutic Assessment With an Adolescent: Choosing Connections Over Substances

This case study provides an in-depth example of a comprehensive therapeutic assessment with an adolescent (TA–A) and his parents. The TA–A addressed parental concerns about their son's drug experimentation as well as the adolescent's own private questions about his distinctiveness from others, all set against a backdrop of ongoing parental conflict and poor communication. The TA–A process and how it is specifically tailored to balance the needs of adolescents and their parents is discussed. Subsequently, each step of TA–A is illustrated through the case study. Research findings at the conclusion of the assessment and at follow-up indicated significant decreases in internalizing symptomology and school problems, increases in self-esteem and self-reliance, and improved family functioning as reported by the adolescent. At follow-up, the father spoke of developing a more assertive parenting approach and successful follow-through on recommendations. This case study provides a template for clinicians interested in conducting TA–A.     

Assessing Dependency Using Self-Report and Indirect Measures: Examining the Significance of Discrepancies

The present study addressed convergence between self-report and indirect approaches to assessing dependency. We were moderately successful in validating an implicit measure, which was found to be reliable, orthogonal to 2 self-report instruments, and predictive of external criteria. This study also examined discrepancies between scores on self-report and implicit measures, and has implications for their significance. The possibility that discrepancies themselves are pathological was not supported, although discrepancies were associated with particular personality profiles. Finally, this study offered additional evidence for the relation between dependency and depressive symptomatology and identified implicit dependency as contributing unique variance in predicting past major depression.     

Factors of Cognitive Complaints in Adults With HIV: A Structural Equation Model Analysis

The objective of this study was to use structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between factors of cognitive complaints in 427 adults with HIV receiving care from an AIDS service organization (ASO) in Alabama. A face-to-face interview assessed cognitive complaints, mood, self-perceived health status, and substance use. Direct and indirect paths were specified between years with HIV (chronicity) age, education, stress, self-perceived health status, substance use, and cognitive complaints. The final model fit the data well (GFI = .95; AGFI = .92), revealing that age, education, substance use, self-perceived health status, and stress contributed directly or indirectly to cognitive complaints. Chronicity was only related to age, suggesting that duration of HIV may be of limited value in predicting cognitive complaints. These results demonstrate the complexity between the factors that influence cognitive complaints and offer possible solutions that health professionals can use to mitigate cognitive complaints in this population.     

Unique and Joint Effects of Sexual and Racial Harassment on College Students' Well-Being

An analysis is presented of issues involved in the differences noted between female and male leaders of mixed-sex groups. After surveying some of the different types of reactions of followers of both sexes to female or male leaders, this paper calls attention to such contributing factors as the nature of the group task, attitudes of leader and followers toward appropriate sex roles, and the criterion measures used. Implications for future research are derived and discussed.     

Exploring the Inconsistent Labels and Definitions of Texts Used in Informational Reading and Writing

This article discusses the various labels and definitions given for texts used for informational reading and writing and the confusion caused by the inconsistency of terms. An EBSCO search on articles published from 2006 to 2011 in the three largest literacy-related professional organizations' journals produced a total of 59 articles. Nonfiction was the most frequent label used; the term “informational text” had the greatest number of definitions and disparity in use. The authors discuss the implications of these disparities in labels and definitions for both researchers and teachers.     

Postreading Questioning and Middle School Students’ Understanding of Literature

Bibliopower can be used effectively to develop positive attitudes about reading and writing among reluctant readers and writers. The purpose of this study was to identify Newbery and Caldecott Medal books which possess bibliopower. Suggestions are made for the classroom use of these books to help students build lifetime commitments to reading and writing.     

Functional Analysis Identified Habit Reversal Components for the Treatment of Motor Tics

This study included brief functional analyses and treatment for motor tics exhibited by two children with Tourette Syndrome. Brief functional analyses were conducted in an outpatient treatment center and results were used to develop individualized habit reversal procedures. Treatment data were collected in clinic for one child and in clinic and school for the other child. Brief functional analysis results were mixed for each child, but provided useful information for informing unique habit reversal components for each child. Treatment results indicated reductions in motor tics for each child. Results are discussed in terms of utility of functional analysis for tics.     

College Students With Military Experience Report Greater Alcohol-Related Consequences

This study examined associations among military experience, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences among a large national sample of 27,249 students pursuing postsecondary education. Because of the uniqueness of the developmental period of emerging adulthood, we stratified all analyses by age groups of 18–24 and 25 and older. There were no differences between students with and without military service history in terms of 3 indicators of alcohol use: alcohol consumption in the last 30 days, binge drinking in the last 2 weeks, and drinking and driving in the last 30 days. There were, however, several differences in self-reported consequences of drinking. Among individuals ages 18–24, students with military service history had nearly twofold increased odds of police encounters as a consequence of drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 3.57]) and increased odds greater than twofold of experiencing nonconsensual sex (aOR = 2.68, 95% CI [1.17, 6.19]). Among both age groups, students with military service history reported greater odds of having unprotected sex as a consequence of drinking when compared to students without military service history. Research is needed to identify the reasons why alcohol use results in these particular negative consequences for students with military service history, which can inform prevention and intervention efforts.